THE LEAP TO ERP (1/3)

The need of the change

For several decades and with the gradual rise of computer technology, many industries have optimized their resources through methods such as toyotism, and tools to apply these concepts, such as ERP. The furniture industry is no exception to the rule, although it took a little longer than other industries like the automotive industry to jump on the bandwagon. For several reasons: Because the furniture industry has many parameters and variables, and requires an efficient CAD/CAM to properly feed the ERP.

Moreover, this sector is halfway between traditional and industrial carpentry. Many actors have passed the other side over the last two decades, while others have chosen to continue with a traditional structure.
More than ever before, in the face of the competitive environment and the various economic crises that countries have been through recently, it is necessary to have optimized management to survive and aspire to evolve.
Shifting to a rationalized production system requires awareness and leads most of the time by choosing an appropriate IT solution and in accordance with the methodology of the company or the future methodology that will be adopted.
When switching to another ERP, or for a first implementation, it is important to take into account the big organizational change that this means.
Indeed, when one begins to evaluate this solution it is because it is necessary to distance oneself from what has been up to now, to detect the weaknesses and generally to make the conscious decision or not to opt for another system.
Conscious, when assuming that its current production system does not allow to cope with reality, manage orders nicely, for example, or that loses a lot of time or generates many errors with consequence of unnecessary costs. Either because there is an underlying problem in the organization, irrespective of the computer system already in place, or because there is a need for a tool to implement these protocols, the best way is to search a specific solution related to the furniture sector, to the detriment of a generic solution that will cost much more to adapt to the processes of the sector.
With a bespoke solution for the sector, specific for furniture and wood, we offer an interface designed to solve a large part of the daily tasks.

Of all the industries, furniture is one of the most delicate to deal with: the challenge of manufacturing products with a myriad of variables and with a relatively low final value in comparison is unique. We understand here the need to choose a very flexible tool to achieve this goal.
Ultimately, it is important to know that, rather than considering the acquisition of an ERP as a simple purchase of software, it is actually a very close collaboration between the manufacturer and the software provider. At Simsa, for example, we are aware of this, and that is why TeoWin ERP obeys these characteristics.
By making a diagnosis before the acquisition of the ERP, it is essential to analyze what is the real need, with a reflection to have on the 5, 10 or 15 years ahead, because this represents a long-term investment.
As we mentioned above, it is fundamental to rethink its organization. If, for example, until now the usual organization in the workshop consisted of using a certain number of papers to distribute the various tasks from the ordering department, following the integration of a TeoWin ERP, A fully integrated system that would make the complete cycle of furniture more fluid without losing its essence (we can still using papers if we are nostalgic): from its creation in technical office to delivery, through production, ordering 3D store or even the final customer from his home, choosing products from a web application. Everything from a single solution.

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